eThekwini to act on Amanzimtoti’s abandoned house
The registered owner of the property lives and works in another province and claims to have left the property in the care of a relative.
ETHEKWINI Municipality claims to have failed to establish communication with the owner of an abandoned property in Amanzimtoti that has been used by criminals as a base for their illicit activities.
Also read: Abandoned Toti property still making residents feel unsafe
This is despite his current contact details being available in the many email exchanges between eThekwini and the Toti Berea Community Police Sub-Forum, which covers the area. Emmanuel Mcambi is the registered owner of 60 Cator Crescent. He admittedly has not lived on the property as he works in another province but has previously told the SUN that he left it in the care of a relative.
Gary Kelly, who is the Toti Berea Community Police Sub-Forum’s chairperson, said the neighbours are living in fear of the people who allegedly use it to conduct drug-related activities. He also fears that the termite infestation in the house could cause it to collapse and affect the immediate neighbours.
eThekwini’s spokesperson Mandla Nsele said the City has not been able to get hold of Mcambi.
“All processes have been exhausted, and the matter has been forwarded to the Problem Buildings Unit for their intervention,” said Nsele.
He added that for the municipality to take over an abandoned property is a lengthy process that the Legal and Revenue Department follows if the said property is sold in execution or expropriated.
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